[LiteraryLark]

Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Do you collect them?

I do both. I have two very special stuffed animals, both were the only stuffed animals of mine that have ever needed an operation on. Sam was a 2nd birthday gift to my brother from two very special people in my life, and he needed an operation when Sarge mistook him for his own toy and ripped part of his face off. All he needed was a new nose and stitches before going back to play time with me and my brother. Sam is very special to me, and I made an unspoken vow that I'd always take care of him. He now sports a G.I. Joe army jacket with a Marine military pin my brother got.

Mr. Moose is also special. Sam and Mr. Moose were the only stuffed animals I brought with me when I fled my home because of the wildfires. Sam was the very first thing I grabbed before anything other belonging. Mr. Moose wasn't the most special stuffed animal at the time, but I decide I'd grab the cuddliest and most comforting, and now he's my trusty bedtime buddy.

I've collected other stuffed animals, but Sam and Mr. Moose are my favorite. They're also the only two stuffed animals who have ever needed an operation. Sam needed surgery when my German Shepherd mistook him for his own toy, and Mr. Moose was hugged to death and was flat. Nurse Mom saved the day on both accounts, and both are just as lovable as ever.

I'm curious if anyone else sleeps with stuffed animals or collects them? I slept with my baby blankie until 8th grade--I felt embarassed by it and gave it up, but I found myself uncomfortable to sleep without holding onto something, so I bought stuffed animals and over the years switched them on and off duty to give them all equal love. No one has ever really given me grief over it, but with some people I felt being judged, other friends were super nice about it, even offering their own stuffed animals upon a spontaneous sleepover.

[Velvet Lounger]

No, I don't like stuffed animals though you made a good post, they are not for me.

[HowDoYouFeelMeow?]

Yep. Former T of 8 years gave me a special one when she left clinical practice a few months ago. It stays next to my pillow or in my arms at night. It travels with me, too.

[splitimage]

I don't sleep with my stuffed animals, and I wouldn't say I collect them, but I have a few that live on a chair in my bedroom.


My most sentimental one, was given to me, by a friend, when I was in university and going through a rough time. Sometimes if I'm having a rough time, I'll just sit and squeeze him.

My most fun one, is a cat - that's an exact image of the cat, from "Simon's Cat". It came complete with a cone collar as though he'd been at the vet. I got him as a reward several years ago for making a donation to a campaign to raise funds to do a longer, colour version of a "Simon's Cat" video.

As for sleeping with a baby blanket - grade 8 is nothing. I slept with mine until I left home to go to university, and I almost took it, until at the last moment it would be too embarrassing.

[SlumberKitty]

I sleep with two stuffed animal Eeyores. One is getting flat and is going to need an operation to get fluffy again. The other one is newer. Then I have a collection of stuffed animals on top of my bookcase. Some people have given me, others I have bought. They just make me happy.

I don't sleep with them though I have some that are special to me. One is a threadbare lion from my childhood named Clarence. Another special one is Chocolate the moose that my husband gave to me while we were on our driving vacation to Alaska. Well, husband-to-be. We got married in Fairbanks while on that trip.

I have a stuffed erric cartman from the tv show south park. you squeeze his tummy and he's like oh my god, you killed kenny, you know what...
he's so cool.

I also have a melennium bug which I've had since the year 2000 which can say happy 2000, when you activate it

I have a stuffed tigger and a stuffed winnie the pooh

a stuffed dog and cat

a pufferlump (which I guess is like a bear)

an actual build a bear

a mouse

and I'm hoping next to collect all the animals from the lion king

I want a simba. he'd be so cute

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I want a simba. he'd be so cute

I have a good story. Simba and Nala were the very first stuffed animals I ever bought--I bought them right after giving up my baby blankie. Lion King is one of my top favorite Disney movies, and I bought them at the Disney Store in the mall.

Sadly, they were destroyed in the fire, but right after the fire happened I went into the Goodwill and there was Simba! He was the first stuffed animal I bought after the fire. I'm hoping to find Nala soon. The same day I found Simba, I also found Dug from the movie Up.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I have an LED glowing polar bear......

[LadyShadow]

I sleep with a big Grumpy Bear (from the Carebears). I love him cause he's Grumpy, blue, and has a storm cloud on his belly! I also sleep with a big brown bear.

I have been sleeping with stuffed animals since I was a kid and they bring me a lot of comfort.

[mugwort2]

I kept my late hubby's childhood teddybear. Its pretty decrepit with only sentimental value for me. Plus a little stuffed pug toy and a mini Robert the doll. He's really cute.

I have many stuffies on my bed. They bounce around like popcorn at night. Lol. As a child I had terrible nightmares. I would fill my bed with stuffies to protect me. They did a good job. ♥️

[lizardlady]

I wouldn't say I collect them, but I have a ton of stuffed animals. I still have my stuffed kitty from when I was a kid. He is ancient and fragile so he lives on top of the dresser. I have a younger version of him I sleep with.

Mugwort reminded me that I also have my late husband's childhood bunny and one I got for him when the original had to retire due to age. He was in danger of being loved to death.

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

I have a good story. Simba and Nala were the very first stuffed animals I ever bought--I bought them right after giving up my baby blankie. Lion King is one of my top favorite Disney movies, and I bought them at the Disney Store in the mall.

Sadly, they were destroyed in the fire, but right after the fire happened I went into the Goodwill and there was Simba! He was the first stuffed animal I bought after the fire. I'm hoping to find Nala soon. The same day I found Simba, I also found Dug from the movie Up.

thanks for sharing that story with me

I'm glad you were able to find another simba

(bit of a positive coincidence, right?)

how do you feel about the new lion king movie out later this year

are you going to see it?

I don't think I am, I don't agree with messing with a classic

[12AM]

Husband and I are in a long distance, he sent me a teddy bear 🧸 a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been sleeping with it

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

thanks for sharing that story with me

I'm glad you were able to find another simba

(bit of a positive coincidence, right?)

how do you feel about the new lion king movie out later this year

are you going to see it?

I don't think I am, I don't agree with messing with a classic

I really want to see it, but it will never top the original and honestly might be too intense as a live action.

[emgreen]

I have an anatomically correct, inflatable woman-thing. Sounds gross (& I'm kidding), but this thread needed some shaking up.

Great thread Literary Lark! Yes, I collect stuffed animals and I sleep with them...on rotation as someone else mentioned. I call them "my animals" or "my guys" although some are female! Haha!

When I was a young child, my mother told me that I was getting too old for stuffed animals and couldn't have them anymore. I didn't want to be done with them and I felt heartbroken but I didn't have a choice. For years as an adult, I wanted to buy some but felt the old shame from childhood when I was told they were not appropriate for me because I wasn't a "baby." Then at one point in adulthood, I was going through a hellish time in my life. And I had no support network. I started buying stuffed animals for solace. I'd put them next to me on the sofa when I cried. I'd hold them tight when I felt panic. And I'd curl up with them when I was struggling with insomnia.

One of my animals in particular helped me to get through that awful time. Does that sound bizarre? He was a constant, little companion when I had nobody while recovering from trauma. Some people are very judgmental about adults having or sleeping with stuffed animals but I think it may be more common than many realize. Lately I wonder what the big deal is? Was anyone else here told in childhood that they couldn't have their animals anymore?

My partner is not judgmental at all. He encourages me to have animals who make me smile or feel comforted especially on bad depression days. When he travels for work, he often brings me a new animal as a gift. I don't want to ever live without my animals. If anyone has a problem with that, they don't have to come to my home!

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by SilverTrees

Great thread Literary Lark! Yes, I collect stuffed animals and I sleep with them...on rotation as someone else mentioned. I call them "my animals" or "my guys" although some are female! Haha!

When I was a young child, my mother told me that I was getting too old for stuffed animals and couldn't have them anymore. I didn't want to be done with them and I felt heartbroken but I didn't have a choice. For years as an adult, I wanted to buy some but felt the old shame from childhood when I was told they were not appropriate for me because I wasn't a "baby." Then at one point in adulthood, I was going through a hellish time in my life. And I had no support network. I started buying stuffed animals for solace. I'd put them next to me on the sofa when I cried. I'd hold them tight when I felt panic. And I'd curl up with them when I was struggling with insomnia.

One of my animals in particular helped me to get through that awful time. Does that sound bizarre? He was a constant, little companion when I had nobody while recovering from trauma. Some people are very judgmental about adults having or sleeping with stuffed animals but I think it may be more common than many realize. Lately I wonder what the big deal is? Was anyone else here told in childhood that they couldn't have their animals anymore?

My partner is not judgmental at all. He encourages me to have animals who make me smile or feel comforted especially on bad depression days. When he travels for work, he often brings me a new animal as a gift. I don't want to ever live without my animals. If anyone has a problem with that, they don't have to come to my home!

(((hugs))) I enjoyed hearing your story. They're a great comfort to me and I take pride in caring for them!

[Succulents333]

I only have one stuffed 'animal'. He's a cute little clown I got when I was born and slept with as a baby, I still sleep with him now. I'm not a fan of clowns at all but he's not creepy at all. He's already lost his collar and is kind of falling apart but I find it comforting to think that he's a guardian who's been watching over me ever since I was born.

[-Astral-]

YES i have about 100 maybe more stuffed animals i keep getting them i gave a lot away for children who are refugees in Syria sometimes have a teddy when scared can help and help them with there trauma ...i hope its helped them

[Travelinglady]

I have a bunch of stuffed animals on our bed, based on our African theme--such as a lion and a giraffe. Sometimes one of our cats plays with them. But it's the real cat that sleeps beside me at night.

[LiteraryLark]

I bought two more stuffies today: Two different monkeys and Peanut from Jeff Dunham. One monkey I saw a couple days ago that had the sweetest face and I had to get him.

They're not snuggle stuffies, they're more display stuffies, but they're good additions to my cuddle friends.